Video: Nanomaterial can stop a speeding bullet

Researchers were able to shoot tiny glass beads at the material, which effectively stopped bullets in their paths

ABC News

HOUSTON — Researchers at a Rice University lab are researching technology that that could potentially stop a 9-millimeter bullet and seal the entryway behind it — an advance that may have huge implications for ballistic protection for soldiers, as well as other uses.

During tests, the researchers were able to shoot tiny glass beads at the material, which effectively stopped bullets in their paths. "This would be a great ballistic windshield material," scientist Ned Thomas said in a clip posted on the university's website.

The group, which included scientist Thomas, Rice research scientist Jae-Hwang Lee and a team from MIT's Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies, was looking for ways to make materials "more impervious to deformation or failure." The result would be better, stronger, lighter armor for soldiers and police, and protection for sensitive materials subject to small, fast moving objects, such as aircraft and satellites.